Wood County
WI · Pop. 74,039 · Suburban County
Wood County is a suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 793 square miles with 74,039 residents at a density of 93.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $168,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.56%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 9.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics Inc is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics Inc, with an emergency room, is just 11.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.56% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Wood County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 46/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 1.56%
- Growing season
- 139 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.9"
- Broadband
- 98.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics Inc, 11.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wood County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wood County?
- Wood County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 9.7°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.56%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics Inc is 11.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Wood County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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